Springdale Police have arrested three people in connection with a small marijuana growing operation.
On Tuesday, September 10th, officers received an anonymous tip about the small marijuana operation in West Columbia. At approximately 11:45 AM, Springdale police executed a search warrant on the reported house. They found one individual caring for two adult marijuana plants in the back yard, according to Springdale Police Chief Kevin Cornett. Officers also located additional marijuana, drug paraphernalia, and a gun.
The following suspects were arrested as part of the marijuana growing operation: Curtis Aukerman, 28, for possession of drug paraphernalia, manufacturing marijuana and manufacturing marijuana within a half mile of a school; Sean Sammons, 27, for possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of marijuana; and Ashleigh Nobbs, 26 for possession of drug paraphernalia.
All three suspects were booked into the Lexington County Detention Center. The Springdale Police Department and the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department encourage anyone with information about illegal narcotics to call the local law enforcement agency of CrimeStoppers at 1-888-CRIME-SC.
Recreational Marijuana Growing and Use Becoming More Popular
In August of this year, the US Department of Justice said that it would not pursue legal action against Washington State and Colorado, two states which legalized the recreational use ofmarijuana in the November 2012 election. That statement has paved the way for both states to set rules for marijuana growing operations and use.
Washington state regulators say they want to cap the amount of space used for marijuana growing operations at 2 million square feet, or the equivalent of 35 NFL football fields. The proposal came from the Washington State Liquor Board on Wednesday, September 4th. The board also capped the amount of non-medical marijuana that can be sold in the state to 40 metric tons, which would limit marijuana growing operations to up to 30,000 square feet per non-medical growing facility.
On Monday, September 9th, Colorado officially finalized their ruled for marijuana operations and sales. The first recreational marijuana retail shops are expected to open in January 2014. Existing shops, which include medicinal use shops, should apply for a license by October of this year, but reportedly are “in good standing” with the law at the moment. The state will create a Marijuana Inventory Tracking Solution to help limit the amount of marijuana that customers can buy for recreational use.
Meanwhile, South Carolina still has incredibly stringent marijuana regulation, from simple possession to growing operations. House Minority Leader Tim Rutherford recently proposed that South Carolina change their drug laws and allow for medical marijuana use, citing several studies that suggest that using marijuana in small doses can help patients who suffer long-term chronic illnesses like fibromyalgia or cancer. DHEC can, as of a law in 1980, choose to dispense marijuana, but only if the federal government OK’s the drug’s use. While federal regulators have not officially OK’d the use of marijuana, either for medicinal or recreational use, the decriminalization of marijuana could pave the way for Rutherford’s proposal.
If You Face Marijuana Charges, From Use to Running a Growing Operation, The Strom Law Firm Can Help
If you or a loved one have been found with marijuana, you could face criminal drug charges ranging from misdemeanor to felony, depending on how much marijuana was on your person, if you ran a growing operation, and what your intent was with the drug. The drug crimes attorneys at the Strom Law Firm can help. Do not let drug charges for marijuana hurt your reputation or your future aspirations. We offer free, confidential consultations to discuss the facts of your case. Contact us today for help. 803.252.4800